A.G. Gancarski
A historic Jacksonville landmark looks slated for preservation, and some long-delayed road and bridge projects are being prioritized, after Tuesday’s Jacksonville City Council meeting.
Meanwhile, a discussion of housing funds led to an exegesis on public housing related to the problem-plagued Fairway Oaks development, built by Habijax on bad foundations, leading to structural damages.
The Council approved the transportation plan to be presented to the North Florida TPO, and the allocation of $162,500 to purchase land on St. Johns Bluff Road, site of a Spanish-American fort, as a complement to the Fort Caroline national monument.
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The TPO project list was approved by a council committee last week, and encountered no meaningful resistance Tuesday, as it was approved without discussion.
Eight road improvement projects and four bridge restorations are part of the project list. This list is a recommendation of projects for a larger list of 20 projects from the North Florida TPO, which will ultimately be voted on by the TPO in September.
The road improvements include a redesign at the Butler Boulevard/San Pablo Road intersection; a new two-lane alignment on Cemetery Road in District 7; a “five-lane urban section” on US-1 in District 10; ramp improvements at Interstate 95 and Baymeadows; an interchange redesign at the Butler/Gate Parkway intersection, and another one at Gate Parkway/Southside Boulevard; construction and updated design of a four-lane section on Old Middleburg Road; and an interchange redesign at 295/Collins Road.
The bridge projects include a replacement on Jork Road in District 5; replacement on Old Kings Road over the Little Trout River; a bridge widening on Deerwood Park Boulevard; and an improvement on Lakeside Drive over the Ortega River canal.
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The Spanish-American fort allocation is a $162,500 city match of private funds, which will allow those interested in the historic preservation to make up the difference.
As Ryan Benk of WJCT noted in previous coverage, this bill means Jacksonville would have “historical sites from five major conflicts: the Spanish-American War, the Civil War, World War I, World War II, and the Korean War.”
Sponsor Tommy Hazouri, after a 17-0 vote, noted that his vote didn’t register.
The discussion of the dysfunctional button lasted longer than the reading of the bill.
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Discussion of a bill appropriating $2.673 million in Federal Home Investment Partnership funding and program income led to a discussion of HabiJax and Fairway Oaks, and housing contamination, with some council members wanting to throw the bill back to committee.
“Fairway Oaks homes were built on a bad foundation,” said Councilman Reggie Brown. “None of us would allow our houses to be built on a foundation that was not solid.”
Councilman Brown said no.
“I’ve asked this administration, others … there’s been some bad dealings and alleged investigations” related to Habijax and Wealth Watchers.
Councilman Brown has been “looking for this letter” of investigation.
The search has been fruitless.
Other council members, including Joyce Morgan, Katrina Brown and Reggie Gaffney, voiced their concerns.
Gaffney wanted the bill referred back to committee.
City Chief Administrative Officer Sam Mousa said the EPA deemed there were no contamination issues on the Fairway Oaks site that would create health concerns.
Mousa noted the mayor has shown concern, calling in the FDEP and providing information to the agency, facilitating their review.
They said “there are no issues out there.”
Mousa also noted that Habijax’s attorney has attempted to schedule a meeting with Legal Aid, which is representing the residents.
“I have some thoughts that I’d like to share with Habijax … it’s been difficult to facilitate even the scheduling of a meeting, and I’ll leave it at that,” he said.
Councilman Garrett Dennis has talked to Habijax and residents, and opined “the reason that nothing is getting done is because of the attorneys.”
Mousa noted the residents and Habijax would like to dialogue, but the attorneys are the impediment. Legal Aid, to Mousa’s knowledge, has yet to agree to a meeting.
“This thing’s been going on since 2000 or so,” Mousa said, “and we’ve only been involved in this for 90 days.”
Legal Aid, said Mousa, is impeding an “open dialogue” on “issues out there that need to be addressed.”
The bill was approved 15 to 3, with Reggie Brown, Katrina Brown, and Reggie Gaffney in opposition.
Public comment was not kind to the council members.
A 16-year resident said “this is the city’s problem,” and that the claim of no environmental problems is not truthful, with her children getting eczema.
Another resident, on the verge of tears, also begged for help, for houses sinking and foundation cracking.
“Do we have to go national?”
Then, little kids, praying in Jesus’ name for their relatives over there to get relocated.
“My auntie’s getting sick, my uncle’s getting sick … if they stay out there any longer, they’re going to die.”
Hazouri advised the kid to talk to Mousa, who took him into the green room.
